Subjects against their Fellows whose Cause might well be favour'd by many who yet durst not discover themselves being unarmed as they might when Weapons were put into their Hands So desperate is the Condition of Tyrants who think it a greater Happiness to be Feared than Loved yet are oblig'd to fear those whose Love would make them dreadful to others § 4. Iehoram taking no notice of God's displeasure by these Afflictions was threatned by a Prophetical Writing sent to him being such a Tyrant as the Prophets durst not reprove him to his Face as they had done many of his Predecessors bad as well as good but they writ to him keeping themselves from him Elias being Translated might have left this Writing or as some conjecture by mistaking in Writing one Letter for another Elias is put for Elisha c. The Accomplishment of the Prophecy proved as terrible as the Sentence when the Philistins which from David's days durst never look out brake in upon him c. with the Arabians a naked People on Horse-back of no Force dwelling in a Barren Desert So that the one quarter of those whom Iehosaphat Mustered had been able to repel greater Forces than both these Enemies could raise had the Iudean People been Armed as by their Prince's Jealousy they were not according to the Policy of the Philistins in the days of Saul The House of Iehoram which they surprised seemeth rather a Country House than in Ierusalem considering they made no further Ravages It is probable all Iehoram's Children were not now slain considering the Slaughters made after by Iehu and Athaliah within two years Lastly himself after two years Torment voided his Guts c. And as the People had small cause of comfort in his Life so they observed not the decency of pretending Sorrow for his Death neither had he the Honour of his Ancestors Burial though his Son Succeeded and his Wife did all Athaliah busie in Plotting her own Greatness and providing trusty Counsellors for her Son thought it unreasonable to offend the Eyes of the People with a magnificent Funeral of a Man by them detested and chose rather to let the Blame of past Actions lie upon the Dead than by doing him Honour to procure an ill Opinion of her self and Children which it now concerned her to avoid Such is the quality of Wicked Instigators to charge the Man whose Evil Inclination they corrupted by sinister Counsel not only with his own Vice but with their Faults also when once he is gone and can profit them no longer Thus we may clearly see how the corrupted Affections of Men impugning the Revealed Will of God accomplish nevertheless his hidden Purpose and without miraculous means confound themselves in the seeming Wise Devices of their own Folly All Men may likewise learn to submit their Judgments to the Ordinance of God rather than to follow Worldly Wisdom contrary to his Commandments § 5. Ahaziah succeeded his Father in the Twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel and was guided by the same Spirits that had been his Father's Evil Angels Touching his Age 2 Chron. 22.2 a Point more difficult than important I see not a more probable Conclusion than that of Torniellus's mentioning an Edition of the Seventy at Rome Anno. 1588 which saith he was Twenty years old when he succeeded and the Annotations thereon which cite other Copies which give him two years more c. He accompanied Iehoram King of Israel to Ramoth Gilead and returneth home after the Battle and presently took a new Journey to visit Iehoram It seems his speedy return to Ierusalem was not pleasing to Athaliah as interrupting her in her Plots who therefore sought to oblige him abroad if it were but in a vain Complement to visit one whom he had seen but yesterday But however these things may seem accidental yet all concurred as disposed at this time to fulfil the high pleasure of God yea Athaliah's secret Plots which intended nothing less § 6. Ahaziah and that Family perished with the House of Ahab § Iehu is anointrd King and made Executioner of the Sentence of God against the House of Ahab according to the Prophecy of Elias and is proclaimed by all the other Captains He having this Honour upon the sudden thrown upon him was not slow in the heat of their Affections to put himself in possession and to set on foot the Business which so nearly concerned him and not to be retarded being no more his own than God's Ahab's House never so flourished having Seventy Princes of the Blood a valiant King honoured with the Victory of Ramoth Gilead so deeply Allied with Iudah and Courted by the King and so many Princes of his Blood that it might discourage all common Enemies and make Rebellious Enterprises hopeless In this Security and Joy of the Court for the King's Recovery and Entertainment of the Princes of Iudah the King his Court and Friends are suddainly surprized and slain neither could Iezebel's Painted Majesty nor Man-like Spirit with untimely brave Apothegms terrify her Adversary who of her Servant became her Lord at whose Command her base Grooms feared not to violate her affected Majesty Ahaziah is also wounded to Death CHAP. XVII Of Athaliah and Ioash that succeeded her § 1. AThaliah Vsurpeth and upon what pretences § Ahaziah being dead after one Years Reign his House was not able to retain the Kingdom 2 Chron. 22.9 which Speech hath bred the question of Ioash's Pedigree Athaliah having Reigned under her Sons Name had laid the Plot to play the Queen under her own Title if her Son fail'd and to that end had furnished the King Councel and Places of Chief Command with Men fittest for her purposes And though Ambition be violent yet seldom is it so shameless as to neglect Beauty It is not therefore improbable to think that Athaliah seeing the Royal Blood so wasted in her Husband and Son's days had by some means drawn her Husband or Son to make her Heir if the King's Blood should be extinct considering that without some such order taken when the King's Blood fail'd the Kingdom were like to be torn in sunder by Competitors or some Popular Seditious Man should be chosen that would subvert all regularity and exercise his Cruelty on such as they loved most and cast aspersions on the Royal House Pretence of Testaments to thrust out true Heirs is no new thing Yea what is new under the Sun To prefer a younger before the natural Heir hath proof in David and for State-Policy to slay a Brother by example of Solomon c. And though these had ground of their doings yet they which follow Examples which please them will neglect the Reasons which please them not Solomon slew Adonijah which had Rebelled and was entred a new practice Iehoram slew his Brethren better than he David purchased the Crown yet he gave it by God's direction when as Ahaziah sought to cut off David's Issue which the Lord had appointed
to Reign 2 Chron. 23.3 § 2. Iehu had so much business in establishing his own Kingdom that he could not molest Athaliah as he desired she being of Ahab's House Among other things about Religion he destroyed Baal's Priests and though never King of Israel had such a way to overthrow Ieroboam's Idolatry seeing he needed not fear the Peoples return to David's House in appearance quite rooted out and had his Calling by an unexpected Favour of God and for his Zeal against Baal had a special promise for Four Generations yet he wou'd needs piece out God's Providence with his own Circumspection He had no doubt displeased many about Baal and should offend more in taking away Ieroboam's ancient Idolatry yet all these never thought of making him King if God had not done it when more difficulties appeared in getting them now than in keeping them though with their offence whom he sought to retain by forsaking God This Ingratitude of Iehu drew terrible vengeance from God on Israel executed by Hazael according to Elisha's Prophesie 2 Kings 8.12 with 10.32 Thus Israel succeeded under Iehu whose carriage and success was better in murthering his Master that trusted him than in defending his People from Cruel Enemies And thus it commonly falls out that they which can find all difficulties in serving him to whom nothing is difficult instead of finding what they propound by contrary Courses overwhelm themselves with troubles they sought not and are by God whom they first forsook left unto the miserable Labours of their own blind Understanding and Wisdom wherein they reposed all their Confidence § 3. Athaliah's Government by Israel's Calamities stood the safer she having leisure to settle it It is probable also she held Correspondence with Hazael as King Asa had done and had secured her self by Gifts having robbed the House of God for Baalim whose Idolatry she set out with Pomp to recommend it to the People as she sought by want of means to make the Service of the Sanctuary neglected § 4. Ioash's preservation was by means of Iehoshabeth Ahaziah's Sister and Wife unto Iehojada the High-Priest the upholder of God's Service in those unhappy times By her Piety it seemeth she was not Athaliah's Daughter yet had she access to the Court and conveyed the young Child with her Nurse into the Temple where he was secretly brought up that the Tyranness could not discover it and thought it not fit to make much ado about him but rather let it be thought he was dispatched with the rest lest the People hearing of his escape should hearken after Innovation § 5. Athatiah had acted as Queen above 6 Year without molestation when suddenly the Period of her Glory and Reward of her Wickedness met together and the young Princes Age required no longer to be concealed for his better Education to fit him with Courage and Qualities proper for a King and to prevent the over-deep rooting of Impiety by the longer Reign of that Cursed Woman Iehojada wisely considered this and combined with Five Captains of whom he was best assured by whom he drew over other great Men to Ierusalem And because it was difficult to draw open Forces together he gave order to the Levites which waited by course in the Temple that they should not return home 'till they knew his further pleasure Thus admitting new Comers and retaining the old he secretly gathered together a competent number to encounter the Queens Guard and furnished them out of the Armory of the Temple which King David had made with which also he armed the Captains and their Followers c. All things being in readiness they proceed to the Execution and the young King is joyfully Crowned and the Tyranness Usurper coming in desperately without Forces ignorant of the business ended her own Tragedy with a sudden and shameful death Iosephus's Report of her coming with her Power which were repelled c. is not credible though all the Forces she could bring could not frustrate the Council of God yet her Indiscretion made the effect more easie § 6. Athaliah had no doubt considered Iehoram King of Israel's rashness casting himself into the gaping Gulf of danger yet her self is by the like Bait drawn into the same Trap and as she lived like Iezebel so was she rewarded with her These two Queens were in many things alike each Daughter Wife and Mother to a King each over-ruled her Husband was an Idolater Ambitious Murderous each slain by Conspiring Subjects suddenly c. We read not what became of Athaliah's Sons her Sacrilegious Imps which robbed the Temple c. CHAP. XVIII Of Joash Amaziah and their Contemporaries § 1. JOASH about Seven Year Old began to Reign under the protection of Iehojada during his Minority When he came to Age he took two Wives by Iehojada's Advice repairing David's Family almost worn out The first Act he took in hand after he Ruled without a Protector was the reparation of the Temple which had been his Sanctuary which he followed with much Zeal § 2. Iehojada the Priest being 130 Year Old died before his Country could have spared him and was buried among the Kings as he well deserved This Honour seemeth to have come from the People for the King had soon forgot him as one eased of Debt and was easily flattered by the Princes so that he quickly forgot his old well-deserving Counsellor yea God himself Author of all Goodness He which had 30 Years shewed Zeal to restore true Religion and root out Idolatry which had been growing some 16 Years was easily drawn to fall away when he perceived his Princes Inclinations and being once entred that course he ran headlong as one who thought Liberty the only Token of a King no longer to endure the sower Admonitions of Devout Priests Hereby it appears he which had been so long among the Devout as Saul among the Prophets was not of them but like an Actor upon the Stage had counterfeited to express more Zeal and lively Affection than they could do which were truly Religious Iehoahaz Son of Iehu King of Israel Reign'd 17 Years from the 23 d of Ioash King of Iudah § 3. Ioash having broken loose from God is given over to Men not so easily shaken off for Hazael King of Aram returning from Gath set on toward Ierusalem which forc'd Ioash to buy his Peace with all the Treasure he could make Holy or Common yet he never enjoyed Peace with Hazael who sent a small Army after and destroyed his Princes and ravag'd his Country Many might be the Motives to excite Hazael against Iudah he had an experienc'd Army Iudah had assisted Israel at Ramoth and the Journey from Gath to Ierusalem short yet it is probable that the Sons of Athaliah encouraged him with hope of a great Party to be drawn by them of such as favoured them otherwise it is improbable that Hazael would have awaked a sleeping Enemy However it were it was of God who knoweth how to prefer
as is generally held and was Iaphet's Seventh Son § 8. Ascanez Son of Gomer Eusebius makes Father of the Gothians Pliny finds Ascania and the River of Ascanius and the Lake of Ascanez between Prusia and Nice in Phrygia Iunius takes them for Inhabitants of Pontus and Bythinia in which Ptolomy hath such a Lake Strabo finds a City River and Lake in Mesia near Gio as Pliny But Ier. 51.27 determins it North of Asia near Ararat and Minni Mountains of Armenia Riphat Gomer's Son Father of Riphcior Paphlagone Famous in the North of Sarmatia after called Henites of whom Polonia Russia and Lithuania were Peopled Melancton thinks they spread from the Baltick to the Adriatick Sea and findeth a Venetian Gulf in Russia called Heneti the same with Veneti § 9. Elisa eldest Son of Iavan was Father of the Nicolians from whence the Grecians were called Helens saith Montanus and Ezek. 27.7 mentions the Isles of Elesa that is of Grece Tharsis his Second Son Planted Cilicia where is the City Tharsis This word is often put for the Sea because the greatest Ships were there and they were called Seamen and the first Iones Montanus and Cal. Paraphrase mistake it for Carthage Cittim his Third Son Father of the Macedonians not Italians Esa. 23. with 1 Mac. 1. Yet it may be he first Planted Cyprus where Iosephus found the City which remained in Ierom's days saith Pintus but this Isle proving too narrow they sent out and Peopled Macedon whose Plantation Melancton ascribes to him Dodanim his Fourth Son settled at Rhodes Dodanim and Rhodanim being easily confounded He also sent Colonies to Epirus where was the City Dodana § 10. Chush Eldest Son of Cham with his Associates Peopled Babylonia Chaldea and all the Arabias Ethiopia was not his as Iosephus the Septuagint and others misled by them judged First From Numb â—2 2 Moses's Wife was a Chushite not an Ethiopian as Iosephus Reports who tells us that Moses leading an Egyptian Army against the Ethiopians the Kings Daughter fell in Love with and betrayed the City Sheba to him after called Meros On the contrary Strabo and all Geographers place Sheba in Arabia whence the Queen came to visit Solomon Damianus and Goes tell us that the Prester Iohns of the Aybssinians came of that Queen by Solomon But without Scripture or Probability seeing her supposed Bastard assisted not his Brother Rehoboam against Shishack King of Egypt But Moses cleareth his Wives Kindred against Iosephus making her a Midian not far from Horeb. So Iethro's coming to Moses c. Chrisamensis also proveth Midia cannot be Ethiopia Thirdly So Ezek. 29.10 Nebuchadonosor's Conquest of Egypt is set out by the Bounds Seveneth which is next Ethiopia and the Chushits ill Translated Black Moors for Arabians the other next Neighbours whereas the Moors were beyond Seveneth or Syene as Scotland is beyond Barwick Fourthly So Ezek. 30.9 Chush cannot be Ethiopia but Arabia Whereto Nebuchadonosor having Conquered Egypt even the Tower Syene in Thebaida bordering on Ethiopia sent Ships over the Red-Sea which to the Ethiopians joyning to Syene he needed not to have done neither would the fall of Nilus suffer nor was his invading that part of Arabia so fit by Land all the length of Egypt being between and all the tedious Desarts of Paran Lastly This placing a Family of Chush from all the rest to go and come through Misraim would make a confusion in the Plantation Besides there was never any thing between Iews and Ethiopians as between them and Chushits Fourthly So Esa. 18.1 turning Chush to Ethiopia for Arabia puts one Kingdom for another confounding the Story For what Kingdom beyond the River of Ethiopia can be found which Assur was to waste as an Enemy to the Iews who were never injured by the Ethiopians much less by any beyond them But I acknowledge that here Egypt which threatned Israel is threatned and Arabia with it Esa. 19.20 The like Errour is committed in 1 Kings 19.9 Making Tirhaka an Ethiopian for a Chushite or Arabian as in Zerah 2 Chron. 14.9 For how should he bring such an Army through such a Kingdom as Egypt § 11. Mizarim Cham's Second Son took into Egypt along Nilus unto Syene bordering on Ethiopia to the South from the Mediterranean Sea which was his North Border Phut the Third Son travell'd to the West beyond him along the Sea Inhabiting Mauritania Egypt was known to Moses and the Prophets by the Name of Mizraim but was called Egypt by a King of that Name otherwise called Rameses the Son of Belus who chased his Brother Danaeus into Greece where he setled in Morea after the Flood 877. Many are the Fancies of the Egyptian Antiquity of Three Hundred and Thirty Kings before Amasis Contemporary with Cyrus and of their Story of 13000 Years c. And Mercator pleads their Antiquity from their Dynasties of which the Sixteenth began with the Flood so that the first must reach the Creation But Eusebius begins the Sixteenth with Abraham 292 Years after the Flood Annius begins the first Dynasty 131 Years after the Flood forgetting that he had said that Nimrod came but that Year to Shinar so that the Dynasty could not begin till after the Confusion But where Pererius holds it impossible that Egypt could be Peopled 200 Years after Adam and supposing it not replenished at all before the Flood I find no force in the assertion For we have no reason to give less Increase to the Sons of Adam than Noah the Age of the one being double and after a while treble to the other which Argueth strength to beget many a long time This appeared in Cham who replenished Five Cities with his own Issue Nimrod's Troops at Shinar were great no doubt yet it is probable all came not thither as may be gathered by the Multitudes which Encountered Semiramis in the East Indian Wars As for Egypt being an Established Kingdom in the Days of Abraham it argues 't was Inhabited long before And contrary to Pererius we may rather wonder how the World could contain the Issue of those long living heathful Fathers than doubt the Peopling of it For if our short Lives wherein scarce one in Ten Liveth to 50 Years the World wants no People And if Wars and Pestilence did not cut them off by Thousands the World could not contain them What would it do if none dyed before 50 or 100 Years Then Conceive the Millions when Men Lived 8 or 900 Years c. Pererius is likewise deceived in the occasion of their dispersing at Babel For had not that occasion happened their Increase would in short time have forc'd them to seek new Habitations c. That therefore the World was all over Peopled with offenders it appeareth by the Universality of the Flood As for Egypt's Antiquity it is probable that Mizaraim's Sons found some Monuments in Pillars Altars or other Stones or Metals touching former Government there which the Egyptians added to the Lives of the Kings
corrupt in Judgment the least of which Offences were heinous to a King how odious then is it to God to make him break Promises to Deceive to pervert Judgment Four Hundred Years after Saul's breaking this Oath of his Fore-Fathers brought evil on all Israel which manifested that God had not forgotten that his Name had secured secured that Poor People and he did them Justice on Saul's House And certainly if Equivocating may delude another the strength of the Objection is broken and Truth in all Tryals is driven away and honest Men are Inthralled to Villanies No League between Kings nor Truce between Armies but the Sword must still be held unsheathed Yet can it not do oftentimes what the Powerful Name of God in an Oath can do in making of Peace and procuring Passage for Men held no security like an Oath no Witness Surety or Judge like God neither durst Men which feared him call him forth to their occasions but with Religious Truth Almarick the Fifth King of the Christians in Palestine breaks Faith with Elbadech Caliph of Egypt who thereupon called the Turk to aid who after he had made War beat the Christians out of Palâ—stine neither could the Wooden Cross brought into the Field as the last Refuge Save them having for-sworn by him which was Crucified on it So when Eugemenes Commanded the King of Hungary after a great Victory to break the Oath with Amurath he lost himself and Thirty Thousand Christians Lastly Observe how it pleased God that the unconquered Cities became Thorns in their Eyes c. See Iosh. 1. 2. 11. 13. Ioshua Governed 18 Years others hold more or less but the Necessity of 480 Years from their Delivering to Solomon's Temple admits no more nor any space between him and Othoniel Ericthonius King of Athens Lynceus of Argive Phoenix and Cadmus flourished now CHAP. VII Of the Phoenician Kingdom and of the Invention of Letters § 1. I Have gathered a Brief of those Kings of whom Time hath left any Record to Posterity The Limits of this Kingdom of Phoenicia in the South are uncertain Strabo extends it to Pelusium the first Port of Egypt Corvinus and Budaeus to Gaza Pliny takes but Ioppa Ptolomy who seldom failed in his Art stayeth at Chorseus which seemeth to be the River at Megiddo He also begins it in the North at Elutherius which falls into the Sea at Aradus North of Orthosia Thus it comprehends these Maritime Cities Aradus Orthosia Tripolis Botris Biblus Beritus Sidon Tyrus Acon Dora and Caesarea of Palestine so that it Commanded the Trade of the Mediterranean for all the East Zidon was the Regal Seat and so continued till Ioshua and all the People were called Zidonians as Procopius confirmeth in his Vandal Wars That Zidon the First Son of Canaan was the Founder we doubt not and yet it was in his Posterities command in Moses Days As for Agenor whether he was an Egyptian of Thebes or a Native of this Country bred up there it may be that in Ioshua's days he and his Four Sons Cadmus Phoenix Cyrus and Cilix might come out of Egypt with such Force as the Egyptians could spare to the succoâ—r of the Coast and so to Fortifie the Sea Towns having the benefit of such Ships as were then in use And when Cadmus his Eldest pursuing Taurus King of Crete who had stoln away his Sister Europe in the Surprize of Tyre was drawn into Greece he seated himself there Agenor commiting this Country to his Two Sons called it by his Name when also North Tyrus was Built and Zidon Fortified whereof it was that Agenor was reputed the Founder from whose time Phoenicia became more Famous Belus whether Grandfather or Father to Agenor as some judge it is no matter but it seemeth he was Ancienter to the Phoenicians who Honoured that Name great was the strength of these Phoenicians Cities which held out against the Iews but put Nebuchadonosor and Alexander to great difficulties Touching the mention of Letters the Ethiopians claim it and that Atlas Orion Orpheus Linus Hercules Prometheus Cadmus had the first light from them and that Pythagoras was instructed by the Lybians The Phoenicians boast of it and indeed they were very Ancient and had Famous Records used by Iosephus Lastly Some ascribe it to Moses without all probability seeing Learning then flourished in Egypt and Assyria but true it is the Excellent Spirits of the First Age found it either Seth Enos c. And God every where present hath given this Invention to Nations which never had Commerce with others As in Mexico were found Books like Egyptian Hieroglyphicks The Americans have an Heraldry § 2. Of the Phoenician Kings especially of Tyrus § Agenor living with Ioshua Phoenix succeeded after whom till the Siege of Troy when Phasis Governed we find not who succeeded In Ieremy's time we find Zidon and Tyre had petty Kings and in Xerxes time Tetrannestus Ruled that part of Phoenicia at the Persians Command and afterwards subdued by Nebuchadonosor Alexander also cast out Strabo King of Zidon and put in Balonimus a Poor Gardner of the decayed Royal Blood preferred by another Citizen to whom Hephestion offered it by Alexander's gift more we find not of Zidon Tyrus sometime a Daughter of Zidon outlived her Mother and had her own Kings of which Twenty in Descent are found in Iosephus and Theophilus Antiochius though they differ in the time of their Reigns and other particulars Abibalus the First whom Suron succeeded and paid Tribute to David and Solomon Others Named by Iosephus and Theophilus Fellow to Ithabalus called in Scripture Eâ—hbaal Father to Iezabel who is there called King of the Zidonians and by Iosephus King also of the Tyrians The Third from him they Name Pigmalion whose Sister Elisa Married Sycheus whom Pigmalion slew for his Wealth but was prevented by Elisa who Conveyed it to a Ship and fled into Africa where she Built Carthage 143 Years 8 after Solomon's Temple and as long before Rome and 289 after Troy's Destruction Eluleus succeeded who overthrew Salmanassers Fleet in the Port of Tyrus Ethobales succeeded in whose time Nebuchodonoser after 13 Years Siege won Tyrus Baal succeeded Ethobales and after Baal 't was govern'd by Iudges successively § 3. Bozius believes that the Tyrians proceeded from the Edumaeans c. But is confuted by Scripture by which it appears that Eliphas which came from Theman to Iob was no Edomite nor was that Theman in Edumaea but in Arabia East from Iob whereas Edom was South Ismael had a Son called Theman who by all likelihood gave Name to Theman in the East From â—hom Eliphaz Iobs Friend descended Suhe also a Son of Kethura and Midian his Brother of whom came Bildad the Shuite and the Midianites at their first setling were sent by Abraham into the East which from Canaan was Arabia the Desart not Seer which was South So in the History of the Judges the Midianites and Amalekites are said to be
of the East Yet were there of them Dwelling in the South they were grown so many that the East could not hold them § 4. Kings of the Ten Tribes from Jeroboam to Achab § Ieroboam flying from Salomon into Aegypt to Shishaâ— whom Eusebius calls Osochores whose Daughter he Marryed as Adad the Edumenian had his predecessor's Wive's Sister and were prepar'd by Shishak to shake the Kingdom of Iudea that he might pillage it as he accordingly did in the fifth year of Rehoboam This Man was exalted to be King of the Ten Tribes preferring the Policies of the World before God's Service and Honour To prevent the â—eoples falling from him by resorting to Ierusalem he erected the two Calves c. Ieroboam reigned at Sichem Twenty two years Nadab his Son succeeded two years and was slain by Baasha who rooted oâ—â— all Ieroboam's Seed and reigned twenty four Years at Thersa and Ela his Son succeeded two years and was slain in his Cups by Zimri who succeeded seven days but Homri in revenge of Ela besieged him and made him burn himself and succeeded transferring the Regal Seat to Samaria and reigned twelve years § 5. Ahab suceeded his Father married the Daughter of the King of Zidon and embraced her Religion as Ieroboam had his Egyptian Wives Ahab was slain after twenty two years Ocharius succeeded his Father and dyed of a Fall in his second year and his Brother Ioram succeeded 12 years who with Aid of Iuda and Edom could not subdue Moab who sacrificed Edom's Son taken in an â—ruption which he made out of the City whereupon the Siege was broken up through Edom's displeasure against Israel for refusing to make Peace with Moab to save his Son Amos 2.1 Iehu slew Ioram and succeeded twenty eight Years whose Son Iehoâ—haz succeeded seventeen years and was molested by Aza Ioas succeeded his Father sixteen years recover'd from Aram what his Father lost and sacked Ierusalem Ieroboam succeeded his Father forty one years râ—â—over'd all from Hamâ—th to the dead Sea and Zacharias his Son succeeded Six Months and was slain by Shallum who succeeded two Months and Menahen slew him and succeeded ten years with much Cruelty Pekahia his Son succeeded two years and Peka slew him and succeeded twenty years In his time Tyglath Pileser King of Assyria Invaded Israel and carried many Captives into Assyria He was drawn in by Achas King of Iuda whom Peka of Israel and Rezin of Damascus wasted and first he surprized the Monarchs of Syria and Damascus and then Israel prepared the way to Iuda Hosea slew Peka and succeeded nine years in whose time Tiglath Pileser carried the rest of the Ten Tribes Captives and re-peopled the Country with Cuthites out of Arabia Deserta the Persians with Calaneans bordering on Syria and Sepharims out of Mesopotamia with the Avims of old inhabited the Philistins Land but now Inhabited Deserta and called Havaei CHAP. VIII The History of the Syrians bordering their Tribes on the East of Jordan DAmascus in this Border most famous for Antiquity Beauty Riches is called the City of Joy and House of Pleasure The Hebrews think it built by Hus Son of Abraham others as Ierom ascribe it to Damascus Son of Eleasar Abraham's Steward but was before Eleasar David subdued it in the overthrow of Adadezar but Rezin Servant to Adadezer escaped with the broken Forces recovered it and was made King Adadezer returned out of Egypt and forced out Rezin and became King of Syria for Nine Descents § 2. Of the first Kings of Damascus and their growing up § That Damascus was of Note in Abraham's days his Steward is an Argument what the Government was then and long after the Reason of Moses's Story led him not to handle The first occasion was in David's Reign who seeking to Establish the command of Israel unto Euphrates as God had promised Invaded Adadezer who was then of the greatest Force in Syria strictly taken containing Damascus Saba Camath or Ituraea and Geshur Adadezer King of Saba called to his assistance the Damascenes who are not ranked under a King but after the overthrow Reson a Commander under Hadadesar gathered the broken Forces surprised Damascus where David had put a Garrison and was made King there as it seemeth after David's death So that as Rehob and his Son Adadezer are the first Kings of Syria Saba and Toi the first Kings of Camath so Rezon is the first King of Damascus which before was commanded by the Kings of Saba whose Power became formidable to the King of Camath The next King is Adad of Edom who coming out of Egypt whether he fled from David and finding his Forces too weak to recover Edom it seemeth he surprised Damascus and became King of Aram. The next King of Aram was Hezion whom his Sons Tabremmon succeeded the Father of Benhadad who assisted Asa King of Iuda against Baasha King of Israel Almost Fifty years after Benhadad was taken Prisoner by Achab and promised to restore what his Father had taken from Israel This was a Second Benhadad who slew Achab and Besieged Samaria the second time and was smothered by Hazael who succeeded him and did much mischief to Lud but brought Israel to a low Ebb 2 Kings 13.7 § 3. Of the later Kings was Benhadad two or rather three who lost what Hazael had gotten three other succeeded of the same Name in one of whose times Ieroboam 2 d. recovered Damascus it self and Chamath to Israel which by David's Conquest had belonged to Iuda Rezin the 10 th after Adad 1 st molesting Achas and was taking Elath is by Achas's Procurement taken and Slain by Tiglath Pileser and the Kingdom of Damascus dissolved § 4. Of lesser Kingdoms in Syria Gessur where Talmai reigned after Ammihur Sophena or Syria Saba or Coelosyria had Rehob and Adadezer after him whose Kingdom translated to Damascus by Rezin ended with the Kingdom of Israel not long after Ninus's Race in Sardanapalus had been ended by PhulBelechus Father of this Tiglath whose Son Salmanassar led Israel Captive as his Father had Damascus Senacharib Son of Salmanasser attempted Ierusalem in vain but 132 years after Israel's Captivity it also went to Babylon § 5. Hierusalem in Ioshua's days had Adonizedek for King and was not inferiour to Hozar the chief of all Canaanites This City of old called Iebus Inhabited of by Iebusites and therefore likeliest to be Builded by Iebusaeus the Son of Canaan and not by Melchisedek for it could not be in Abraham's way returning from his Victories but rather that Salem by Iordan of which we spake in Manasses Though Ioshua slew their King yet they held out 400 Years till David won it Solomon so perfected the Strength Beauty and Riches of it besides the renowned Temple that the World had not the like That Ditch hewn out of the Rock Sixty Foot deep and Two Hundred and Fifty broad with Walls Gates and Pallaces defended One Hundred Fifty Thousand Men besides Women
their Father therewith which Cruelty was revenged on him and Agamemnon his Son and all his Linage by a natural Son of Thyestes Minos was now King of Crete whose Wife Pasiphae inamoured of Taurus her Husband's Secretary Dedalus being her Pander had a Child by him and another at the same Birth by Minos of which grew the Tale of the Minotaurs Dedalus upon discovery fled with Icarus in two Boats with Sails unto Cocalus King of Sicily In the flight Icarus was drowned and Minos was slain in persuing Dedalus whom Cocalus defended Sphinx a Woman Robber by Sea and Land upon the Borders of Corinth was overcome by Oedipus Commander of the Corinthian Forces her Swiftness and Cruelty bred the Tale of her Wings and Body of a Lyon Anteus the strong and cunning Wrestler near Hespendes in Mauritania lived about this time § 6. The Argonauts Expedition fell out about Gideon's Eleventh Year Many Fabulous Discourses have been hereof written and mystical Expositions made but Dercilus's Opinion is most probable That Iason with the Harvest-men of Greece went by Ship to rob Colchos enriched by certain steep falling Torrents not far from Caucasus which wash down many Grains of Gold which the Inhabitants get by setting many Fleeces of Wool in those Water-falls The many Rocks Straights Sands and other difficulties in the Passage between Greece and Pontus are Poetically converted into fierce Bulls Armed Men rising out of the Ground Syrens a Dragon cast asleep c. by Orpheus one of them § 7. Abimelech Gideon's natural Son Ambitiously Fought and got what his Father had refused as unlawful without special direction a Ruler over God's peculiar People and for his Establishment in his Usurped Power he slew Seventy Brethren upon one Stone Iotham the youngest only escaped this unheard of Inhumanity Such is Human Ambition a Monster which neither feareth God nor respecteth Nature and forgetteth the All-powerful Hand whose Revenge is without date All other Passions and Affections which torment the Souls of Men are by Contraries oft-times qualified but this darling of Sathan and first-born Sin that ever the World knew more Antient than Human Nature looketh only toward the end which it self sets down forgetting nothing how Inhuman soever that may conduce thereto and remembers nothing that Pity or Religion can offer to the contrary As for the deplorable effects that such attempts have had it ascribes to the Errors or weakness of the Undertakers and rather praiseth the Adventure than fears the like Success The Sechemits in a vain Glory to have a King of their own readily condescended to his Ambitious motion imbrue themselves with him in the Blood of Innocents and fit themselves to partake with him in the Vengeance fore-told by Iotham The Tapithae and Centaurus made War about this time against the Thebanes these were the first in those parts which learned to ride on Horses so that coming from the Mountains of Pindus on Horseback they were thought compounded Creatures Thola of Issachar govern'd after Abimelek 23 Years and Iair 22 years after him Priamus after that sacking of Ilium by Hercules being Ransomed began to Reign having rebuilt Troy and inlarged the Dominion almost over all the lesser Asia Of Fifty Sons he had Seventeen by Cuba Daughter of Gisseus King of Thrace Paris one of them attempting to recover his Aunt Hesione carried into Greece by Hercules took Helena the Wife of Menelaus c. Theseus the Tenth King of Athens in his Father Aegeus's Reign he put himself among the Seven young Men which the Athenians sent for Tribute yearly to Minos King of Crete who gaining Ariadne the King's Daughter's Affection received of her a Bottom of Thread by which to conduct himself out of the Labyrinth after he had slain the Minotaur â—hat is the Son of Taurus begotten of Pasipâ—ae to whom those Youths were committed c. He took Hippolita the Amazon Queen Prisoner and by her had a Son Hyppolitus whom he after sought to kill upon his Step-mother Phaedra's false Accusation whose incestuous Caresses he had rejected In his Escape he had received many dangerous Wounds of which being Cured the Tale of Esculapius grew c. After much good done to the ungrateful multitude they banish'd him They say he stole Helen from Aphidna in the First Year of Iair according to Eusebius which is not probable seeing she should prove Fifty Years old at the fall of Troy Under the two former Judges in Assyria reigned Mitreus and Tautanes after and in Egypt Amenophis Son of Ramses and Anemenes after him In Sicyonia reigned Thyaestus the Twenty second King Eight years Adrastus succeeded Four years then Polyphides the Thirteenth Mueschea succeeded Theseus King of Athens § 8. The Theban War the most antient that ever the Grecian Writers handled hapned in this Age wherein Greece continued but salvage holding and getting all by strong hand Robbing by Sea and Land little using Merchandise and not acquainted with Money and having few walled and but small Towns As some latter idle Chroniclers wanting good Matter fill their Books with Reports of Feasts dry Summers c. So they which write of Greece then tell us of great Floods Metamorphosâ—â— of Men-killing Moâ—â—ters Adulteries of their Gods begetting Mighty Men c. This Theban War the first Grecian Story of Note arose upon the disagreement between Eteocles and Polynices Sons of Oedipus Son of Laius King of Thebes These Brethren having Covenanted to Rule by Course Eteocles beginning was unwilling to lay down a Scepter once taken into hand which forced Polynices to fly to Adrastus King of the Argives who gave him a Wife and raised Forces to re-establish him in Thebes Eteocles withstands the Force and both Armies after great loss desire the Brethren to end the Quarrel by a single Combat in which both lost the day with their Lives and yet another Battel was fought in which the Argives were discomfited and fled and of the Commanders only Adrastus came to Athens At his request the Argives sent Forces under Theseus against Creon Governour of Thebes for denying Burial to the slain Argives who took the City and buried the slain But this contented not the Sons of the Noble Argives who Ten years after levied new Forces and forc'd Laodamas Son of Eteocles to fly and some says he was slain the Town was destroyed but repaired by Thirsander Son of Polynices who reigned after and led the Thebans to the War of Troy shortly after § 9. Iephtha judged Israel Six years and relieved them from the Oppression of the Ammonites which lay heavy upon the Tribes on the East of Iordan along Gilead He defended the Israelites Right against the Ammonites Claim both by Reason and the force of Arms and drove them not only out of all those Plains but also over the Mountains of Arabia to Minneth and Abel of the Vine-yard As for his Vow the Opinion that he did not Sacrifice his Daughter is more probable The Ephramitâ—s quarrell'd with Iephtha
attempted it in Iephtha's days finding Israels weakness by long oppression of the Philistins who had disarmed them had also slain 34000 of them and that 50000 perished about Bethshemes and their King was not yet so acceptable to all his Subjects who were encouraged to begin with Iabesh Gilead so near unto them Saul to shew himself King being proprobably descended of one of the Four Hundred Virgins taken from the Gileadits undertook the relief of Iabesh assembling 330000 Men and Defeated the Ammonites Hence Samuel drew them all to Gilgal where Saul was again Confirmed King where also Samuel exhorted them to fear the Lord and rehearsed his own Justice After a Years Reign Saul chose him a strong Guard of Three Thousand 1 Sam. 13.2 § 4. Saul 's Disobedience and Rejection § Ionathan with his Regiment of 1000 surprised a Garrison of the Philistins which some judge was in Careatjearim where was the Ark but Iunius taketh it to be Gebah in Benjamin near Gibha where Ionathan stayed with his Thousand so that though the Philistins were much broken under Samuel yet they held some strong places in Israel of which this was one whose Surprise so enraged them that they gathered together the greatest Forces mention'd 1 Sam. 12. while Saul was at Gilgal expecting Samuel as he had been required 1 Sam. 10.8 But because Samuel came not so soon as Saul expected he hasteâ—ed to Sacrifice taking the Office of a Priest on him as some think or as others judge he in diffidence and distraction upon the Philistins Power and his Peoples deserting him attended not the Prophet's coming to direct him and pray for him For Samuel had sharply reproved and threatned him with great Indecency had he not had extraordinary warrant from the Lord. So they departed each from other Saul being come to Gibeah his own City being of strength his Forces were but 600 between him and Ionathan and of these not one had Sword or Spear of which the Reason is rendred in the Text. The like Policy Nebuchadonozer us'd in the Conquest of Iudaea and Dyonisius in Sicily It may be the other Israelits had some though these Six hundred had not for they might gain some at the overthrow of the Philistins and Ammonites As for the Weapons the Israelites used in these Wars they were Clubs Bows and Slings wherein they were expert 1 Chr. 12.2 and their Victories were rather extraordinary as by Thunder or Astonishments sent from God as in this next Overthrow by the hand of Ionathan and his Armour-bearer wherein God set them at dissention cap. 14.10 So that the Israelites needed no Swords when every Philistin's Sword supplyed the want After this Victory Saul undertook by turns all the bordering Enemies and by special Commandment the Amalekites in Arabia Petraea and the Desart ravaging from Havila to Shur But for presuming contrary to God's express Charge to spare Agag c. he was utterly rejected of the Lord for all his pretence of Sacrifice and Samuel never after visited Saul § 5. Samuel fearing to Anoint another King as God willed him is directed how to do it safely So that by cautious care to avoid danger he did no way derogate from God's Providence seeing the Lord himself tho' All-sufficient instructed Samuel to avoid Saul's Fury by the accustomed cautions ways of the World and therefore Men neglecting of Prayer to God and exercise of that Wisdom he hath indued the Mind of Man with for his preservation are stupified with the Opinion of Fate c. Iesse having presented all his Sons but David to Samuel he only whom the Father neglected is chosen of God and anointed by Samuel The Philistins in the mean time considering how Saul's Power increased while they sat still and doubting least Israel might become able to revenge themselves if they were suffer'd thus to encrease thought it good to offer a new Check presuming of their own Abilities and former Successes as for late Disasters they might suppose the one was by a casual Tempest and the last by a mistaken Alarum which wrought needless fear and put the Army to Rout. Having therefore taken the Field Encamping near Saul's Army and both keeping their ground of advantage they maintained some Skirmishes not joining in gross which the Philistins had cause to fear considering their late Success and thereupon perhaps provoked to single Combat with their Giant upon Condition of a general subjection of the vanquished Nation in their Champion This gave occasion to David now to make a famous entrance into the publick notice of the People with the success Recorded in Scripture By this Victory David fell under the heavy displeasure of Saul by reason of his great Merits whereupon he became a Convert Tyrant faithless to Men and irreligious to God as the History sheweth which brought him to the end we read of § 6. Of such as lived with Samuel and Saul § Aeneas Sylvius began to Reign over the Latins in Alba about the 11th year of Samuel and Reigned Thirty one years The same year Dorcillus began in Assyria being the Thirty first King and Reigned Forty years The Dores which came with Heraclides obtained Peloponnesus in this Age. Here follows the Account of the First Planters of Greece from Iopetus Father of Prometheus Father of Deucalion and Pyrrha King and Queen of Thessaly of whom came Helen Father of Xuthus Dorus and Aeolus Xuthus fled to Erictheus of Athens of whose Daughter came Achaeus and Ion. Achaeus for a slaughter fled to Laconia in Peloponnesus and gave it his Name and after recovered Thessaly Ion was made Governour of Attica which he brought into a civil Course and Planted Syciona then called Aegiolio and Married Helice the Kings Daughter of whom also the Land took Name Dorus second Son of Helen Planted about Parnassus and Lacedemon but when the Heraclides Nephews of Hercules Invaded Peloponnesus the Dores assisting they expelled the Achaeans in Laconia who seeking Habitation drove out the Ionians who failed into Asia on whose West Coast they Built Twelve Cities Hercules Ancestor of the Heraclides and his Twelve Labours of Fabulous Poets rehearsed Sure it is Greece was oblig'd to him for freeing it from many Tyrants and Thieves which oppressed the Land in the Reign of Euristheus who employed him therein being Jealous of him for his Virtue and Descent from Perseus His Children after his Death fled to the Athenians who assisted them against Euristheus whom they slew but upon the death of Hillus Son of Hercules slain in Combat by Echenus King of Tegeates in Arcadia who assisted Atreus Successor of Euristheus they were to leave the Country for one Hundred years now expired when they returned under Aristodemus when Tisamenus was King of Achaea § 7. Homer the Poet seemed to live about this time but the diversity of Mens Opinions and curiosity about this Age is so Ridiculous that I would not offend the Reader therewith But to shew the uncertainty of Historians as well in
Land also indured three Years Famine for Saul's wrong to the Gibeonites which was relieved by the death of Seven of Saul's Issue of which Five were the Sons of Michoâ—'s Sister as by an Elipsis the Hebrew will bear as in the like ver 19. As the Lord by this Execution secured David's House from Competitors so was the Nation strengthened by the valour of many brave Commanders of which Six Colonels under the General had Thirty Captains of Thousands among whom the difference of place and Honour grew by meer consideration of Virtue as we see Abishai Brother of Ioab and the King's Kinsman short in Honour of the first Three David thus Established in ostentation of his Power provoked the Lord to punish his People with Pestilence for his numbring of them and slew Seventy Thousand § 8. David's last Acts. § Abishag in his impotence keepeth him Warm c. Adonijah aspireth which causeth David publickly to declare Solomon his Successor and to set him in his Throne whereupon Adonijah and his Associates were scattered After this David having two especial Cares remaining of which he desired to discharge his Thoughts one concerning Solomon's peaceable holding his Crown the other about building the Temple he called a Parliament of all the Princes c. In this Assembly he signifieth his purpose and the approbation of God chargeth all and Solomon by Name v. 9. and produceth the pattern of the Work according to the Form which God himself had appointed laying down his own preparation whereto the Princes and others added their free-will offering This being done David made a solemn Feast at which time Solomon was again anointed King and received Fealty of the Princes People and the King's Sons After all this David as upon his Death-Bed again with powerful words giveth Solomon the Charge of the Lord his God and then adviseth him concerning Ioab who otherwise tho' of exceeding desert yet for his intolerable Insolence came to such an end by Justice when time served as many worthy Men had done for acts of the like presumption David after Forty Years Reign died being Seventy Years old having been a Man of small Stature exceeding Strength and for internal Gifts and Graces passing all others and putting his Human Frailty apart commended by God himself to be according to his own Heart Being a Prophet as well as a King he fore-told Christ more lightsomly and lively than all the rest and writ many Psalms but whether all the Book is disputed though Chrysostom and Augustin hold it Christ and his Apostles cite him § 9. David and Solomon's Treasures § David's Treasure exceeded as appeareth by what he gave toward the Temple 1 Chron. 22.14 which amounteth to 3333â— Cart loads of Silver or 6000 l. sterling to every Cart-load and 23 Millions and 1000 l. in Gold a matter incredible but for Testimony of Scripture where consider how such a Treasure could be raised by Parcimony Eusebius cites Eupolemus for a Navy which he sent from Melanis or Achanis to the Isle Vpher or Opher by Ortelius then his Husbandry which was great his Presents Tributes Taxations Capitations his Spoils the Riches of the Sanctuary long increasing by large Gifts and the Portion out of all Prizes from Enemies even from Ioshua's days Of Solomon's Treasure see 1 Kings 9.20 and 10.14.29 See Iosephus of the Treasure he hid in David's Sepulcher out of which Hircanus took 3000 Talents and Herod more § 10. David's Contemporaries § Achis a Philistin King of Gath and another in Solomon's days Latinus Sylvius King of Alba. Cedrus the last King of Athens after whom they changed the Government into a Principality for Life without Regal Title This change was made in honour of Codrus voluntarily slain for their sakes in a War with the Dores to disappoint the Oracle Eupalus the Third King of Assyria sate 38 Years Ixion the second King of the Heraclids in Corinth Son of Eurythenes Agis the second King of the Heraclids in Lacedemon he restored the Laconians and made the Citizens of Helos Slaves for refusing Tribute as at length all the Messenians were and thereof called Helons that is Slaves Slave came from Sclavi which were Samaritans now Russians which Conquering Illyria would be called Slaves which with them signifieth glorious but when the warm Clime had thawed their Northern hardness but not ripened their Wits the Italians which made many of them Bond-men used their Name in Reproach calling all Bond-men Slaves Achetratus succeeded Agis in whose time Androchus the Third Son of Codrus assisted by the Iones built Ephesus in Caria and was slain of the Carians He also held Erithrae famous for Sybyls which writ Verses of Iesus Christ Son of God the Saviour reported by Augustine who saw them Vaphres King of Egypt began to Reign when David Besieged Rabba Magnesia on Meander in Asia founded now and Capua Campania CHAP. XIV Of Solomon Anno Mundi 2991. § 1. SOlomon began to Reign in the 2991 st Year of the World and was first Congratulated by Hiram King of Tyre according to the Ancient Custom of Princes Though his Reign were peaceable yet his beginning was with the blood of his Brother Adonijah without warrant either from his Father or the Law of God The occasion was his desire of Abyshag but being his Elder Brother who also had sought the Kingdom it was enough as a word is to the Wise and he which seeth the Claw knows whether it be a Lyon or no. Solomon took the motion as a demonstration of a new Treason such was the jealousie of seeking a King's Widow or Concubines as Absolom's taking his Father's Concubines was a taking possession of a Royalty so it was applied to David by Nathan c. 2 Sam. 12.8 Birth-right pleaded by Adonijah was according to God's Law and of Nations but the Kings of the Iews were more Absolute and not without Example in Iacob for private Inheritance As for what we read of Peoples Elections it was but an acknowledging him whom the Lord chose and not to frustrate the Elder 's Right Solomon also executed Ioab deposed Abiathar and put Shemei to death He Married the Daughter of Vaphres as Eusebius calls him King of Egypt and according to his request to God obtained extraordinary Wisdom especially for Government as appeared in the Example purposely set down of his judging the two Harlots yet did he excell in all other Knowledge § 2. Solomon's Building and Glory § Renewing the League with Hiram of Tyre he had much of his Materials for his Buildings from him Of the Glorious Temple and parts of it many Learned Men have Written as Salmeron Montanus Bibera Barradas Azorius Villalpandus Pineda c. The Letters which passed between Solomon and Hiram Eusebius sets down out of Eupolon which Iosephus also Records in his Antiquities Lib. 8. § 2. Besides the matchless Temple he made many other Magnificent Buildings of which Gerar on the Border of Ephraim taught the Egyptians to
the King's House and the Egyptian Kings after claimed Sovereignty of Iuda After 17 Years Reign Rehoboam died and Ieroboam out-lived him 4 Year Tersippus in Athens Doristus in Sparta Priminas in Corinth Sylvius Alys over the Latins Periciades in Assyria and Abdastrartus in Tyre whom his Foster-Brother Murdered and Usurped 12 Year but Astartus Son of Baleaster recovered the Kingdom from them § 3. Abia succeeded Rehoboam in his Kingdom and Vices yet God was pleased to give him the Victory over Ieroboam of whose Subjects he slew 500000 though he suffered his Father to be vanquished by Sesac the Egyptian not for want of Strength but Wisdom and Carriage which God giveth when and where it pleaseth him Who by the Affinity by which Solomon thought to assure his Estate the Lord brake it in his next Successor And tho' then God used to shew the Causes of such Judgments by his Prophets yet is he the same just God to raise and throw down Kings and Estates for the same Offences And those Afflictions of Israel and the Courses thereof are set down for Presidents to succeeding Ages As the Famin for Saul's Cruelty David's Calamities for Vriah Solomon's loss of Ten Tribes for Idolatry Rehoboam for Idolatry and Sodomy in the Land Ieroboam Ioram Ahab Iesabel The like Judgments are executed daily for the like Offences though Men wise in the World raise these effects no higher than to second Causes § 4. Asa after three years succeeded Abijah who reformed Religion and prospered He overthrew Zerah and his 100000 Men c. That Zerah was an Arabian not an Aethiopian was proved before But after he fell to rely on Man and hired Benhadad against Baasha not relying upon the Assistance of God he fell to persecute the Prophet which reproved him and to oppress the People for which God plagued him There lived at the same time Agesilaus and Bacis of Corinth Astartus and Astarlaius Kings of Tyre Alys and Capis Kings of the Latins Ophrateus in Assyria Tersippus and Phorbas in Athens Chemmis in Egypt whom Cheops succeeded and Reigned Fifty six years to the sixteenth of Ioas Baasa King of Israel began in the Third year of Asa and Reigned Twenty four years which was about the Twenty sixth Year of Asa so that his Attempt against Asa 2 Chron. 16.1 was the 26th of Asa but the 36th of the Kingdom of Iuda called Asa's because he there Reigned in it Consider that Rehoboam Reigned seventeen years Abijah three and Asa Forty one in whose Three Baasan began so the Thirty sixth year of Iuda's Kingdom fell in the Sixteenth year of Asa. § 5. The Alterations in the Kingdom of Israel in the Reign of Asa might have reduced the Ten Tribes to the House of David if God had not determined the contrary Ieroboam lost 500000 Nadab his Son in two years lost his Life and Kingdom so that of his Fathers Worldly Wisdom to Establish a Kingdom in his Posterity nothing remained but the hateful Memory that he made Israel to sin Baasa rooting out Ieroboam's House yet imbraced his Idolatry which drew the same Sentence of God's Wrath upon him and his Family and tho' he thought it Wisdom to Fortify his Kingdom which he found weakened by Asa by making League with Benhadad yet God turned his Wisdom into Foolishness and by the same Hand destroyed Nephtalim Ela Son of Baasha succeeded and was slain by Zimri who wanting strength to defend himself against Omri had Courage enough to burn himself in Terza Omri by the Peoples Division was a while opposed by Tibni but prevailed § 6. Israel thus afflicted under those unhappy Princes it is a wonder that the People returned not to their ancient Kings and reunited not to those Two Mighty Tribes but they still continued in grievous oppressions of the Factious Usurpers and Competitors and under the revenging hand of God for their defection To say God's secret Will was such was not reason either to the Ten Tribes not to return nor to Abijah after he had so weakned Israel not to perfect his Conquest for though his Father was restrained expresly by the Lord yet was not he We may then boldly look into two Causes First Why the People bore so quietly the slaughter of Nadab and interpretation of Ieroboam their own chosen King and revenged the death of Ela Son of Baasa an Usurper It is therefore probable that the People by defection from Rehoboam seeking ease of former Burthens found Ieroboam and his Son to retain some Kingly Prerogatives which had been grievous to them under Solomon which Baasa had forborn and reduced the form of Civil Government to a more temperate Method which much pleased them Secondly the same may be the Reason they returned not to the House of David whose Scepter they found so heavy under Solomon and were threatned by his Son with more burthen They had seen Ioab and Shimei slain without all form of Judgment Adonijah without Cause as Ieroboam should have been which lawless Power grew more barbarous in Iehoram Manases c. As for the Kings of Israel we find no such arbitrary proceeding for even Iezabel kept the form judicial against Naboth And well it may be though Ieroboam had established a Law against the Prophets of God which the Idolatrous People approved by which Law Iezabel slew so many This difference of Power Arbitrary and according to Law made the People of Iudah less affectionate to their Princes than the Israelites who were accustomed not to kill their Kings as the Iudeans did but revenged when they were able such as were slain by Usurpers The like moderation of Kingly Prerogatives in the Government of England gained such affection of the People as never any perish'd by the Fury of the People whose heat in greatest Insurrection was extinguished with the blood of some great Officers Let not Monarchs fear straitning of their Absoluteness by mighty Subjects as long as by their Wisdom they keep the hearts of the People who will be sure to come in on their side As Briarius with his hundred hands assisted Iupiter when all the Gods conspired against him For a good Form of Government is sufficient of it self to retain the People not only without assistance of a laborious Wit but even against all devices of the shrewdest Politicians every Sheriff and Constable being sooner able to arm the Multitude in the King's behalf than any over-weening Rebel against him Princes immediately assign'd by God or getting Command by strong hand have presumed of more Absolute Prerogatives than Kings Chosen and the People which thought Obedience to Princes a part of Duty to God will endure much more with patience than others who have Kings of their own chusing § 7. Iehosaphat a Religious Happy Prince succeeded Asa whose Forces of Men of War were 1160000 by which he recovered his Tributes from the Arabians and Philistins besides his own Garisons yet his Country did not exceed the County of Kent
what was ordinary to himself and scorned to be checked by a Prophet having before lost One Hundred Talents by one of them without any Benefit From this proud Contempt of God and Conceit of his own Sufficiency little Inferior to David he challenged Ioash King of Israel and upon occasion of the late Wrongs done by his Subjects perhaps required Subjection of the Ten Tribes by Right from his Ancestors David and Solomon Had he only required Satisfaction It may be Ioash would not have returned such an Answer as argueth an Insolent proud Challenge Ajax's Father wished him the Victory by the Gods assistance He answered that Cowards got Victory so but he would have it without them after which proud Speech and many valiant Acts upon some disgrace he fell Mad and killed himself Amaziah's Thoughts were like Parents of like words and he might as well have said he had the Victory without God which made him insolently challenge Ioash as if he were able to encounter a valiant Leader and People trained up in a long Victorious War because he had defeated the weak broken Edomites As his first Counsel among his Parasites to defy Ioash was foolish so was his proceeding which was carelessness in providing and preventing in both which his Adversaries took the start and prevented Amaziah with a brave Army in his own Country to save him the labour of a long March This sudden Invasion much discouraged Iudah who having devoured Israel in their greedy hopes saw themselves disappointed and their own Estates seized by the others This Issue was that Amaziah was taken and was led in Triumph to Ierusalem which to save his Life he basely procured to be opened to the Conqueror who made a large breach in the Wall at which he rid in made what Spoil he thought fit and departed § 9. Ioash King of Israel being in Possession of Ierusalem it may be marvelled why he seized not upon the whole Kingdom especially considering he might think the Kingdom was not tyed to the House of David as appeared in Athaliah and that the Iudaeans were liklier to endure his Government being such a Conqueror and descended of Kings of which Iehu was Anointed from God I need not add the Commodities growing by Union of these two Kingdoms neither read we of any special Prohibition to him but it appears Ioash minded not the Kingdom for then he would not have aimed at such a Triumph and Entrance at a Breach which is one of the greatest Affronts to Citizens but would have entred at a Gate with fair Intreaty of a People rather yielding than vanquished he would also have forborn the Spoil especially of the Sanctuary which the People prefer to their Lives and in forbearing whereof he had won the Opinion of Piety as the Sacrilege upon the House of their God and his branded him with a Mark of extraordinary Prophaneness who by execrable Church-Robbery became odious and lost the Inheritance of the whole Orchard by stealing a few fair Apples The Citizens provoked by these Indignities after a few days would gather Spirit to conceive the Enemy was of their Mould and that themselves were not disarmed were a great multitude had Provision and such advance of Place as Armed Women and Children and considering the Evils grown and like to encrease by former Cowardize would grow to a desperate Resolution to correct the first Errors Upon these grounds it is certain that great Towns entred by Capitulation are not so easily held as entred as Charles VIII th of France found at Florence which made him come to Terms when he saw the Citizens Resolution rather to hazard all than to submit to his intollerable Conditions being now entred the Town Besides Ioash might consider how hardly he could make good his Possession against the Army of Iudah rather terrified than broken and lastly Ioash having had the Three Victories against Aram promised by the Prophet he should not expect a perpetual Success against them and therefore thought it best to return home with the best Security he could for conveying his rich cumbersom Booty and to make head against the Aramites who in his Absence had taken the Advantage and given Israel such a Blow as he could never recover taking therefore Hostages for his quiet Passage he returned home § 10. Amaziah who threatned to work wonders and raise again the Empire of David was stript of his Lions Skin and appeared nothing so terrible a Beast as he had been painted and became an Argument of scoffing to many as the Shame which falls on an Insolent Man seldom fails of much Reproach Governours are commonly blamed by the Multitude for the Calamities which befall them though by the Peoples default but every Child could see the Root of all this Mischief in this Bastard which having provoked a valiant Adversary for Fear betrayed the City opened unto him by this base intreaty to save his Life which his Brutal Father would not do which he redeemed at so dear a rate as the Spoil of City and Temple which might easily have been saved by a little delay which would have forced Ioash faster home than he came out hearing of the Aramites and a little Courage in that space recover'd would have perswaded him to leave his Baggage behind him had not this good King given Hostages for a Convoy That this punishment and dishonour brought him back to God appeareth not but the contrary by the Reason of the Conspiracy Related by the Holy Ghost He which tells a Man in Adversity of his sins past shall sooner be thought to upbraid him with his present Fortune than to seek his Reformation which might make the Priest and Prophets little welcome to him On the other side his Flatterers which sought to raise up his Heart of which themselves might always be Masters wanted no plausible Matter and he was not the first Noble Commander which hath been foiled as David himself abandoned Ierusalem to Absalom Sesac was sent into the City as well as Ioash the Temples Pillaging had been excused by Necessity of State his Captivity excuseth his Command to open the City but they which opened it were to blame knowing he was not his own Master when he commanded it his Captivity was his Honour who might have escaped by Fight as others did which betrayed him by running away while he fought to incourage them by his Example yet his Mischance saved Thousands while the Enemy wisely preferred the surprize of a Lyon before the Chase of an Army of Stags which followed him These or the like Speeches might have satisfied Men if the King had studied to please God but as he still neglected the Favour of God so after this he out-living his Honour Fifteen Years recovered no Love of his Subjects by his Government but increased their Hatred to his Ruine He which thinketh himself less Honoured than he deserveth in his own Opinion will force his Authority to be esteemed a severe Man that by affected Sowerness
having been trained up in the Art of War by Cyna a Warlike Woman The Souldiers disappoint her and Pithon who hoped to have been intreated by them to hold and chose Antipater who in a few days arrived at the Camp with his Army and took it upon him as the only powerful Man then living of all Alexander's Captains whom all acknowledge their Superior Antipater taketh the King Queen and Princess into Macedon leaving Antigonus General of the Royal Army against Eumenes and Ruler of Asia during the War and besides his former Provinces gave him the Rule of Susiana § 11. Antigonus Lieutenant of Asia being to subdue Eumenes Alcetus and Attalus began with Eumenes seeking to Corrupt his Army by Letters but failed therein by Eumenes's cunning who made shew as if he writ them to try their faith to him Then Antigonus dealt with the Captains of which one brake out untimely and another called Apollonides held close 'till the Battle and then turned to Antigonus with such of the Horse-men as he could persuade being their General but Eumenes overtook him and cut him off though he lost the Battle Eumenes not able to keep the Field wished his Men to shift for themselves and retained only five hundred Horse and two hundred Foot with which he tired Antigonus in following At last he entred Nora a strong and well provided Fort bordering on Cappadocia where they parted without agreeing so Antigonus leaveth Nora besieged and with his other Forces entred Pisidia and overthrew Alcetus § 12. Ptolomy while other Princes were quiet in their Government sent an Army and won Syria and Phaenicia and took Laomedon the Governour thereof Prisoner Antipater being Eighty Years Old reposing great Confidence in Polyspercon one of Alexanders most Ancient Captains committed to him the Protectorship and Government of Macedon doubting his Son Cassander's sufficiency he also gave charge that no Woman should be admitted into the Administration of the Empire and so dyed § 13. Polysâ—ercon's skill was greater in War than in the high Office he now undertook being a man of an Inferior Wit fitter to assist than command in Chief The better to Countenance his Injunctions to the Governours of Provinces he and his Council thought fit to call the Queen of Olympias to Court whom Antipater suffered not in Macedon But Cassander Son of Antipater who thought himself the better Man was not satisfyed with the Captainship of a Thousand his Ambition soared high when he considered the Love of those which commanded the Garrisons and all the Rulers in the Cities so of Greece so placed by his Father Besides he had that Interest in Queen Euridice that was due only to her Husband all which would not serve to bear out an open Rebellion Cassander therefore finding what Ptolomy had done in Syria and what Antigonus aimed at since Antipater's death for whose sake he presumed upon them and seeing their occasions needed a Civil War he went to Antigonus in Asia and writ to Ptolomy § 14. Polyspercon upon Cassander's departure to disappoint him of his hopes from Greece decreed in Council to restore the popular Government in their Cities and discharge the Garrisons and Banish or kill the Governours placed by Antipater Thus he dishonours the Man that raised him overthrew worthy Men placed as Friends to the State of Macedon and gives away Macedon's Command of Greece if he means as he pretends c. § 15. Athens by this Decree in all haste cast out their Governours Phocion and others who fly for their Lives but cannot remove the Garrison commanded by Nicanor a trusty Friend to Cassander He possessing one of the Havens found means to take the other called Paraeus to their great discouragement but by Alexander the Son of Polyspercon coming with an Army are wholly misled as if he came to aid them whereas he came to get what Nicanor held if he could persuade him thereto Phocion and his Fellows fly to Polyspercon for Patronage but he finding he could not get the Key of Athens as he fought without offending the other Towns of Greece to cover his intent as meaning well to Athens he sent Phocion back into Athens who wickedly put him to death being above Eighty Years old who had been chosen forty five times Governour without seeking it whose Integrity was approved whose Counsel the City never repented nor private Man for trusting him Philip and Alexander honoured him but could fasten no Gifts upon him Athens never after bred a worthy Man § 16. Cassander with such Forces as Antigonus lent him entred Pireus which drew Polyspercon headlong into Attica with an Army but for want of Victuals departed leaving Alexander with some Forces to hindeâ— Nicanor 'till he in Peloponesus attempted Megalopolis which affected Cassander But the Town furnished with Fifteen thousand able Men was so defended and his Elephants so galled in their Feet with Nails driven through Boards laid and lightly covered in the Way that he prevailed not and wanting Provision to stay long he forsook the Siege After this his Admiral Clitus after an Overthrow given to Nicanor in Propontis is in the second Encounter Antigonus having furnished Nicanor utterly defeated which made Athens submit to Cassander as did other Cities § 17. Antigonus lying before the Fort Nora when he heard of Antipater's death knowing Eumenes's sufficiency and fidelity to Perdicas thought no Man fitter to be employed in his designs He sent therefore a Friend to them both to deal with him to take an Oath of Fidelity to Antigonus which he refused except Olympias and the Children of Alexander were put in which was yielded to so he departed Antigonus had before this taken on him as Lieutenant of Asia to remove Governours of Provinces as Aridaeus of Phrygia and Clitus of Lydia which repaired to the Court for Relief but all failed in Clitus's overthrow at Sea § 18. Antigonus now commanding the most of the Lesser Asia was able to enter Macedon and seize the Court but doubted the Reconciliation of Cassander and Polyspercon thereby he also knew Eumenes's fidelity to the Royal Blood Against him therefore he bent with Twenty thousand Foot and Four thousand Horse hoping to surprize him in Cilicia Eumenes a Thracian of all the old Souldiers was only faithful to the Royal Blood the Court therefore gave him Commission to raise an Army against Antigonus requiring the Provincials to assist and the old Silver-shield-bands to follow him § 19. Olympias the Old Queen intending to remove Aridaeus and place Alexander Son of Roxane joining with Polyspercon enters Macedon taketh Euridice and Aridaeus forsaken of all that followed her at the sight of Olympias both are Murdered and a hundred of Cassander's Friends with Nicanor his Brother § 20. Cassander lying at the Siege of Tegea in Peloponesus hearing these ill Tidings compounded with Tegea and shipt his Army into Thessaly the Aetolians keeping the Streights of Thermopylae by Land in favour of the Queen Cassander leaveth Callas with part
of his Forces to divert Polyspercon carrying the rest to Besiege Pidna a strong Sea-Town where Olympias lay with the Court. Aeacides King of Epyrus her Cousin hasted to her Succour but upon Difficulties of passages held by Cassander's Men his Subjects refuse to proceed and upon his seeking to inforce them banish him and join with Cassander Polyspercon now is the Queen 's only hope which also failed for by Callas's means corrupting of the Souldiers he was glad to make a swift Retreat for want of Men. The Miseries of the Besieged by Famin and Mortality was so great that she is forced to yield to Cassander upon promise of Life and procured Aristonus to whom she had committed Amphypolis to yield up the Town which he did and was killed by private Enemies procured to it by Cassander Olympias is then called into publick question in an Assembly of the Macedonians and condemned for the Murders committed by her under Title of Justice and shortly after put to death Cassander after his death Celebrated Funerals for Aridaeus and Euridice Married Thessalonica Daughter of King Philip taken in Pidna built the City Cassandria committed Roxane and Alexander to close Prison Re-edified Thebes and restored it c. CHAP. IV. Of Antigonus's growth in Asia § 1. EVmenes with the Argyraspides or Silver-Bands took his March towards the East with his Commission to take Possession of those Countries having small Assurance of his Silver Shields whose Captains scorned his direction Yet Ptolomy and Antigonus could not withdraw them Python and Seleuchus who govern'd Medea and Babylon as he went refused to let him pass 'till they were forc'd to fly so he came to the East where Peucestes and other Lords receive him yet through Opinion of Self-worthiness contended for Superiority but by his Wisdom and Command of the Kings Treasure he gained many of the most powerful § 2. Antigonus followed taking Python and Seleucus with him to force the Enemies further off from the King's Treasure in Susa but passing over Coprates by small Vessels when the greater part was over Eumenes who kept a Bridge on Tygris came with a Thousand Horse and four Thousand Foot and finding them disordered forced most of 'em into the River and drowned them and slew the rest except four Thousand which yielded in the sight of Antigonus who with Python turned to Media leaving Seleuchus to Besiege Susa Castle § 3. Eumenes desired to lead the Army into the Province left by Antigonus but Peucestes Governour of Persia drew them thither using all means to win the Souldiers which Eumenes prevented by a feign'd Letter from Orontes Governour of Armenia reporting Olympias had slain Cassander and sent Polyspercon with a great Army to join with Eumenes which News bred much fruitless joy Antigonus brings his Army out of Media to all their amazements yet Eumenes then sick in an Horse-Litter set his in a good form of Battle and though he were inferiour to Antigonus by a third part except Elephants he held it out and Antigonus was glad the next Night to steal away into Media § 4. Antigonus in the dead of Winter being within Nine Days Journey of his Enemy passed through a difficult Wilderness forbidding all use of Fire by Night to prevent his being discovered which was observed for some time but broken at last and so discerned Peucestes and the rest as Men amazed fly Eumenes stays them promising to protract Antigonus 'till their Forces be drawn up Then taking some choise Captains he disposed them on Tops of Hills looking towards Antigonus keeping many Fires thereon Antigonus thinking he was discovered and fearing to be forced while his Men were tired turned aside to places convenient for Refreshment but upon Advice finding that he was deluded he sent thinking to be revenged on them who were gone All the Eastern Army was come except the Elephants which he sent to cut off forcing the Horse-men which came with them and had overthrown the Elephants if brave Troops sent by Eumenes to look after them had not come in unexpectedly § 5. Eumenes having obtain'd the honour of an Expert General got therewith the hatred of Peucestes and the other Commanders which conspire his death but conclude to spare him 'till after the Battle with Antigonus which argued their Malice against his meer Virtue Eudamus who had charge of the Elephants whom he had obliged and others of whom he used to borrow Money when he needed not to make them the more careful of his Life certifyed him of the Treason Hereupon he made his Will and burnt his Writings of Secrets and considered what he should do To make his Peace with Antigonus were contrary to his Faith given to Olympias and the Princes c. He therefore resolved to withstand the Enemy and after to look to himself c. § 6. Eumenes's Souldiers not knowing the cause of his Perplexity encouraged him only desiring him to draw 'em up in Battalia and they would play the Men. Antigonus had the advantage in Horse but his Footmen advanced heavily being to encounter the old Silver Shields who had beaten them so oft as now also they slew five thousand of them without the loss of a Man Antigonus's Horse and Elephants had the better the rather by Peucestes who drew off one thousand five hundred Horse and departed But while all the charge lay on Eumenes Antigonus sent Companies of Horse about unto Eumenes's Carriages unseen by reason of the Dust and surprized them for the Night growing on they return'd to their Camps § 7. Eumenes finding the Silver Shields discontented for the loss of their Carriages comforted them with hopes of Recovery the Enemy being weakened by their Valour and unable to draw the Carts through the Wilderness of Mountains This availed not for Peucestes was gone and other Captains would fight no more Teutamus one of the Silver-shield Captains to win the Love of the Bands dealt secretly with Antigonus intreated the restoring of the Booty which was all the Old Souldiers had for many Years service The crafty Man answered that if they will deliver Eumenes he will do more for them which they presently performed and villanously betrayed their worthy General whom his Ambitious Adversary despairing to win slew This was the end of the Wisdom Fidelity Valour and Patience of him whose Courage no Adversity could lessen nor Prosperity his Circumspection But his Virtue Wit and Industry were all cast away by lâ—ading an Army without power to command besides God's purpose to cast down that Family he sought to uphold Antigonus buried him honourably burnt one of the Captains alive that betrayed him and committed all the Silver Shields to a Leader to carry them into far Countries with charge to Conjure such perjured Wretches nâ—vâ—r to come near Greece § 8. Antigonus and Python return to Media where while Pithon by Gifts sought to win the Souldiers which he only wanted to become chief Antigonus discerning it took him in his security condemn'd and
submit to him insomuch that many ran over to his Camp and persuaded him to shew himself to the Macedonians who would Salute him King To try this he rode forth in view of the Camp bare-headed but was persuaded to put on his Helmet whereon he wore two Goats Horns by which he was known whereupon all throng'd about him some wishing Demetrius to be gone who in disguise stole away So Pyrrhus entred Macedon with Triumph where Lysimachus met him and shared the Kingdom with him each hoping upon better opportunity to work his Fellow out of all § 8 Demetrius had left Antigonus his Son in Greece with a great part of his Forces with these he Besieged Athens but was pacified by Crates the Philosopher and so went into Asia with Eleven Thousand Souldiers to attempt Lydia and Caria held by Lysimachus where he was successful till Agathocles Son of Lysimachus forced him to seek a Kingdom in higher Asia and yet left him not so but pursued him over Lycus where he lost so many that he was forced to flye with the rest into Cilicia from whence he writ Mournful Letters to Seleucus who durst not trust him till after some inconsiderable Victories he is left with a few Friends who persuaded him to yield to Seleucus by whom he is put into a foggy Island under sure Guard where he spent Three Years merrily and there Dyed § 9. Ptolomy about the same time Died also who beside other Princely Virtues was mindful of his word which in those times was a rare Commendation Ptolomy Philadelphus who had Reigned with him Two or Three Years succeeded Ptolomy Ceraunus offended and fled to Seleucus The Macedonians after Seven Months revolt from Pyrrhus to Lysimachus who Reigned alone Five Years when the City Lysimacha fell by an Earthquake after which himself having Poisoned Agathocles his Son by instigation of a Mother in Law in a War with Seleucus in Asia was slain Seleucus surviving all Alexanders Hero's as Heir of all the Conquered World passed over into Maccedon and took possession of Europe where within Seven Months Ptolomy Ceraunus Treacherously slew him being Seventy Seven Years Old Pyrrhus the Epirot was now become equal to any of those Old Commanders in the Art of War yea Hanibal preferred him before them all Supra § 7. CHAP. VII Romes growth and setling of the Eastern State § 1. ROMES Greatness beginning now to encounter Greece it is convenient here to make a compendious relation of her growth from Tullus Hostilius who having Reigned Thirty Two Year was burnt together with his House by Lightning Ancus Martius Grandchild to Numa succeeded who Walled the City and built a Bridge over Tybris and after Twenty Four Years dyed leaving his Children in Charge with Incumon a Corinthian his Favourite who had fled from Cypselus King of Corinth and dwelt in Tarquinii from whence he was called Tarquinius He Reigned Thirty Eight Years and was slain by Ancus Martius's Sons but by the coming of Tarquin's Wife Servius Tullus her Daughters Husband was made Governour for a time under pretence her Husband was Sick in which Government he continued by force Forty Four Years and then was slain Tarquinius Superbus is Proclaimed King by Tullia his Wife Daughter to Servius who forced her Coach over her Father's dead Corps He took Oriculum Susa Pometia and the Gabii but for the Rape of Lucretia by Sextus Tarquinius his Brother he and all his Family were expell'd by Iunius Brutus and Collatinus her Husband that manner of Government was changed from a King to two yearly Consuls or Providers for the City wherein these two began Their first War was with Porsennus King of Hetruria who came to Rome by force to restore Tarquinius but was so long resisted by Horatius Cocles upon the Bridge 'till being overpower'd by Numbers he was forc'd to leap into the River Tibris with his Armour on and so terrified by Mutius Scaevola's resolution burning his own hand for killing the Secretary instead of the King that he entred into League with Rome Brutus being slain in this War was mourned for a whole year by the Ladies as the Champion of their Chastity Mamilius Tusculanus Son-in-Law to Tarquinius with his Latines renewed the War against whom Aulus Posthumus in a new Office of Dictator was sent who overthrew them After Sixteen Years of Consuls upon a tumult of the People the Office of Tribunes was enacted to follow the Peoples Causes as Solicitors Then follow the Wars with the Volsci and Aequi in which T. Martius got the Surname Coriolanus for winning the City Corioli but was after Banished for raising the rate of Corn too high Coriolanus flyeth to the Volsci whom he incensed and was with Attius Tullus employed against Rome and so far prevailed that when neither force nor intreaty would serve his Wife and Mother were sent whose sorrowful deprecations prevailed Not long after Three Hundred and Six Fabii's undertaking the War against the Veii in Hetruria were slain and left but one Infant of the whole Family of whom it is said came Fabius Maximus In process of time the Consuls and other Magistrates are abrogated and Ten Men ordained who Enacted Laws and Two Years after are forced to resign to Consuls After that they subdued the Veients and Falisci yielded to Camillus in reverence to his Justice upon the Schoolmaster of their Town who having decoy'd out many Principal Men's Children yielded them up to him for Hostages whom he sent back bound with his Scholars whipping him He also won the City of Veij after Ten Years Siege but upon unequal division of the Spoil ungratefully they Banished him While he lived at Ardea the Gauls invading Hetruria as they roved over the Country being offended with the Roman Ambassadors went to Rome which was abandoned before their coming and set it on fire and had taken the Capitol defended by M. Manlius but for the gagling of Geese After Seven Months Siege Brennus agreed to depart for One Thousand Weight of Gold which while they were weighing Camillus with an Army came upon them and forced them away At this time they had Military Tribunes § 2. Rome Three Hundred Sixty Five years after its Building re-established Consuls Enacting that one should always be a Plebean when she began War with the Samnites dwelling between Apulia and Campania whom they invaded and forced to submit to Rome for protection This War continued Fifty Years and drew the Hetrurians into it in which time the Latines claimed freedom in Rome which bred a quarrel wherein the Latines were overthrown The Sabines were after subdued and won Tarentinus after which the Apulians Lucanians Messapians and Brutians who drew the Samnites to rebell sent for Pyrrhus out of Epirus to assist them § 3. Pyrrhus forsaken by the Macedonians impatient of Peace accepted the Conditions of these Confederates hoping to enlarge his Empire toward the West as Alexander had to the East and then to live Magnificently as he answered his Counsellor
performance he had already given his Son Demetrius an Hostage and four Hundred Talents Great was the joy at the conclusion but the Aetolians are dissatisfied and the Baeotians still favour the Macedonians Some also fear the Romans will prove the worse Neighbours not knowing the Romans design against Antiochus But to prevent all bad Rumours Quintius at the Istinian Games Proclaimed freedom from Garrisons and Liberty of their own Laws to the Corinthians Phocians Locrians Eubaeans Achaeans of Pithiotis Magnetians Thessalians and Perrhubians which the Greeks applauded with exceeding Thanks He also sent to Antiochus by his Embassadour then present requiring him to keep from the free Cities of Asia and restore to Ptolomy and Philip what he held of theirs and not to pass into Europe with an Army CHAP. V. Of the Roman Wars with Antiochus and his Adherents § 1. SEleucus Nicanor slain by Ptolomy Cerannus Anno 4. Clymp 124. Antiochus Soter his Son succeeded Nineteen Years to whom Berosus the Chaldaean Dedicated his Assyrian-History which is notoriously falsified by Fryar Annius He neglected revenging his Fathers Death who had so loved him that he gave him Stratonica his own Wife being sick for her Antiochus the God as the flattering Melesians called him for freeing them from Timarchus the Tyrant succeeded Fifteen Year His first Wife was Laodice to whom he took also Bernice the Daughter of Ptolomy Philadelphus King of Egypt and so compounded the War between them but falling into the hatred of Laodice she Poisoned him for it when her Son Seleucus Callinicus was ready to Reign She also murthered Bernice and her Son two or three Years after Ptolomy's Death but the Brother reveng'd it Ptolomy Philodelphus Son of Ptolomy the first King of Egypt after Alexander began to Reign with his Father and continued Forty Years He was first derived from Alexander's Successours which made League with Rome and his Off-spring the last of those Royal Families they rooted out He set at Liberty all the Iews which his Father made Slaves in Egypt and sent rich Gifts to God's Temple in Ierusalem and requested of Eleazer the Books of Holy Scripture and seventy two Learned Hebrews to Translate them into Greek to furnish his Library in Alexandria of which Genebrard thinks Iesus Sirach was one whom Iansenius proveth then living Iosephus Antiq. li. 12. c. 2. reports one Aristaeus writ the History thereof Seleucus Callinicus began his Reign with his Father's Murder which cost his Mothers Life she being slain by Ptolomaeus Evergetes in revenge of his Sister who Invaded Seleucus but was called Home by Domestick Troubles Seleucus perceiving himself not beloved of his Subjects sought not to gain them by merit but by force prepares a great Fleet against them whereon all his hope relyed which God overwhelmed in the Sea and himself hardly escaped His Subjects hoping he would become a new Man in Commiseration offer him their Service which so revived him that he raised an Army against Ptolomy who overthrew him which made him send for aid to his Brother Antiochus Hierax or Hawk for he cared not on whom he Preyed who was but fourteen Years Old and was extream Ambitious Before he came Seleuchus made Peace with Ptolomaeus but had no Peace of his Brother who overthrew him But shortly after overthrown himself by Eumenes King of Pergamus Son of Attalus and forced to flye away was taken up in Capadocia by Artamenes who designed to betray him which made him take his Wings to Egypt where Ptolomy knowing his persidious Nature imprisoned him whence escaping by means of a Harlot he fell into the hands of Thieves who murthered him Seleuchus at this time going to subdue the Bactrians and Parthians was taken Prisoner by Arsaces Founder of the Parthian Kingdom who yet released him but returning Home he broke his Neck by a fall from his Horse after twenty Years Reign Seleuchus Ceraunus succeeded his Father Three Years and was slain by Treason leaving Antiochus his Brother to succeed and Achaeus to Govern the Army § 2. Ptolomaeus Evergetes who suceeded Philadelphus yet Reigned having Married Berenice Daughter of Magas King of Cyrene added it to his Kingdom and as he thought the Countries of Coâ—losyria Palestine c. His and his Successours Wars with the Seleucidae were Prophecied of by Daniel Onias the High Priest had provoked him by detaining covetously twenty Talents Tribute but was pacified by Iosephus a Iew and having Reigned Twenty six Years Dyed in the 139 Olympiad Antiochus scarce Fifteen Years Old when he began his Reign which lasted Thirty six Years in his Minority was wholly Governed by one Hermias an Ambitions Man who incited him unseasonably to War against Ptolomaeus for recovery of Coelosyria c. while Molo the Kings Lieutenant in Media Rebelled Xenaetas is sent with Forces into Media which are overthrown while Antiochus lay in the Valley of Marsyas between Libanus and Antilibanus seeking to pass into Coelosyria Hearing therefore the News of Xenaetas he hastens into Media which he recovered from Molo whose left Wing Revolting to the King Molo with divers of his Friends to shorten the work killed themselves and so prevented the Hangman with their own Swords After this came the joyful News of his Queen's being Deliver'd of a Son Fortune being thus bountiful Antigonus Marches against Artabanes King of the Atropians who being very Old and Timerous yielded to whatever he Propos'd Antiochus in the East thought good to visit his Borders between the Caspian and Euxine Sea in which Journey his Physician informed him against Hermits of whom himself was grown Jealous and therefore consented to his killing About these times Achaeus rebelled in hope the King would perish in his Expedition yet Antiochus more intending the recovery of Coelosyria neglected him till he had gotten Seleucia first called Antigonia founded by Antigonus and after won by Seleuchus and then by Ptolomy Such is the vanity of Men who think to eternize their Names not by works of Vertue but of Greatness which never lasteth long Theodotus the Aetolian Ptolomy's Mercenary which formerlâ— dâ—fended Caelosyria agâ—inst Antiocâ—us now weary of his former Faithfulness Mercenary like sells it to him who took possession of Tirus and Ptolomais with the Aegyptian Fleet there Antiochus herewith emboldned aims at Egypt it self ruled by Agathocles and Sosibius whilst Ptolomy himself minds only his Pleasure These two make secret preparation but openly solicite Peace by themselves and several of their Allies and Antiochus willing to rest this Winter agreeth on a Truce for four Months to Treat of Peace which he designed only to lull his Enemies asleep who watched him better than he did them During the Truce Embassadours from Egypt are heard and both sides plead their right to Coelosyria and propound Covenants but both would have it or nothing The Truce ended Antiochus takes the Field presuming his ordinary Power will serve against his unprovided Enemies but was deceived and well beaten for it at Raphia losing Ten Thousand
unprosperous than that of Generals besides the Rapes Slaughters Devastations c. which are so hateful to God That were not the Mercies of God infinite as Monluc Marshal of France confessed it were in vain for those of his profession to hope for any portion thereof such Cruelties being permitted or committed by them And true it is that as the Victories obtained by so many of the greatest Commanders are commonly ascribed either to Fortune or to their Followers or Cowardize of the vanquished so the most whose Virtues have raised them above all Envy have in the end been rewarded either with Disgrace Banishment or Death as Examples both of the Romans and Grecians Witness § 3. Philip well perceiving the Romans aimed at his Kingdom repented himself of his Obsequiousness to them Yet was in ill Condition to help himself having been beaten by them his People unwilling to deal with them and no Friends to assist him Yeâ— Necessity the Mother of Invention made him resolved to remove the Inhabitants of his Maritime Towns to Emathia and people them with Thracians that feared not the Romans He also designed to draw the Bacternae an hardy Nation beyond Danubius into Dardania and to root out the Dardanians always troublesome to Macedon But this device took slow effect and was hindred divers ways His Subjects removed against their Will broke into words which his cruel Nature seeking to repress by putting many unto Death increased to exclamation which inflamed him barbarously to Massacre their Children After this the Furies enter his own House and Vengeance was poured upon him from Heaven in his own Children as was thought by the jealousie he had of Demetrius his Younger Son and the fear Prusius had of him for his Interest in the Romans Affections Wicked Instruments are not wanting who counterfeit a Letter from Quintius to Philip intreating for Demetrius with an intimation of his ambitious Desire against his Brother Prusius One Didas also to whom he was committed by Philip pretending Friendship to him sounded him and told the King that he meant to flye to the Romans who would not fail him So the Father without any examination commanded his unhappy Son to be Murdered and after upon his Cousin Antigonus his searching found out the Contrivance too late Hereupon he intended to confer the Kingdom upon Antigonus but Death prevented it § 4. Perseus succeeded his Father who had Reigned Forty two Years he thought it not expedient to imbroil himself so soon with the Roman War but to settle his Dominions and therefore to prevent danger slew Antigonus Then to get his Subjects Affections he sate in Judgment and made them many publick Shows and to win the Romans he sent and renewed the League Masanissa had heretofore taken the Country of Emporia from Carthage and about this time he took other Land from them by force about Seventy Towns and Castles of which when the Carthaginians complained by their Embassadours prostrate with Tears before the Senate desiring Right or Liberty to defend themselves against him or at least to know how far Masanissa should be allowed to proceed And if none of these would be granted that then the Senate it self would inflict upon them what they thought meet rather than to keep them in continual fear of this Numidian Hangman See the fruits of their Envy against that valiant Family of the Barchines and of the Roman Peace desired by Hanno which hath made them Slaves to the Servants of the Numidian whose Fathers they had used to sell over Africk and Greece Their Answer was gentle but without effect and Masanissa hath a mild rebuke Perseus is not yet brought into such a Yoke but must be for he is questioned for taking up Arms without their leave though to subdue his own Rebels After the same manner they dealt with Greece And of all others with the Achaeans who presumed most on their Favour So that all saw that the Roman Patronage tended to nothing but the bondage of Greece This gave Perseus hopes to find a Party there as indeed he did though it little availed him § 5. Eumenes King of Pergamus hated Perseus exceedingly not only for an Hereditary quarrel with Macedon but for that he perceived the Greeks began to favour him more than himself whom they seemed to neglect for being over serviceable to Rome For Redress hereof he thought it not hard to induce the Romans utterly to overthrow the Macedonian Kingdom which the Greeks now adored to which end he took a second Journey to Rome where he laboured to provoke the Fathers against Perseus which needed not though yet they heard him willingly that their Pretence of War might have the fairer shew as proceeding from the information of such a King come on purpose so far as out of Asia The Rhodians also were there with the Macedonian Embassadours to answer with matter of recrimination that Eumenes had provoked the Lycians to Rebel against the Rhodians Careless Audience was given to the Rhodians for their Friendly Office in conveying Laodice the Daughter of Antiochus to Perseus and their Answer is that the Lycians were assigned to Rhodes not as Vassals but Associates Thus their Subjects are become their Fellows Masanissa and the Aetolians whose Subjects were not increased by the Romans or by the Cities and Peo +ple bestowed upon them after Antiochus's Overthrow but their Friends had cause to resent this Decree The Macedonian Embassadours were heard not so carelesly as angerly being glad that Harpatus the chief Embassadour had by violent Speeches given them cause of anger And though Perseus his faint Heart was not sit to threaten Yet now he might think to get more by a little Bravery than submission seeing the Eyes of all Greece were set upon him for a Delivery from the Roman Servitude And it seems Perseus was not very cautious of offending them when he hired three or four Ruâ—â—ians to Murder Eumenes in his return from Worshiping at Delphos whom they had left for Dead though he recovered The Report of his Death made Attalus his Brother to take upon him as King and would have taken Stratonica his Wife as a matter of State had not Eumenes's coming home put a stop to it All which Eumenes only checked with wishing him not to Marry with the Queen till he was sure the King was Dead who then bequeathed her to him The Senate upon these occasions Decree War and send Embassadours to require satisfaction or to denounce it which Perseus slights calling the Romans greedy and insolent commanding them to depart This present heat was too much he wanting constant resolution which he neglected in hope of Peace § 6. Rome had now fair occasion of War with Macedon which though it had been long sought yet the preparation for War was to seek and the want of it helped to sound the disposition of Greece which they solicite by Embassadours with better terms than Threatnings though they durst not but promise aid to them
whose Ruin they desired The fear of Greece grew from the timerous demeanour of Perseus whom they secretly affected but saw his want of resolution would betray them all that declared for them if he could make his Peace which even then he sought when he was in the Field and his Enemy not in sight His Embassadours were scarce come Home when Licinius the Roman Consul was at Apollonia and yet Perseus is still in deliberation though at last the stoutest and wisest Counsel prevailed if it had been as well followed after he had brought his Forces together which were Thirty nine Thousand Foot and four Thousand Horse Being come into Thessaly which was the Enemies way some Towns yield and some he forc'd and so came to Sicurium Licinius is also come into Thessaly with only two Legions tyred in his passage through Athamania and resteth by the River Peneus Incamping there and intending not to Fight till his Auxiliaries were come that so he might strongly force through Tempe of whose Straits Perseus was Master to his great advantage and might have had more in taking the Straits of Aous Eumenes and Attalus his Brother are come to the Consul with four Thousand Foot and one Thousand Horse Yet the Consul keepeth in his Trenches and is content to be insulted day by day by Perseus till at last he was forced to send out Eumenes Attalus and his own Brother In this Skirmish Perseus slew two Hundred and took as many with little loss and might have distressed the Consuls Camp if his fear had not baffled his Incouragement by this Success For the Consul was glad to Decamp at Midnight to a stronger Place beyond the River Of all the advantages he had this weak spirited Man made no other use than to hope for Peace though Licinius peremptorily told him he should look for none without an absolute yielding both Person and Kingdom Not long after attempting to force the Consuls Camp he had the worst and thereupon leaving a weak Guard in Tempe he returned to Macedon Licinius the Consul and Lucretius the Admiral ended their Year with cruel Oppression of the Confederates as did this Successours Hostilius and Hortensis the Admiral who more intended quarrelling with Friends than warring with Enemies of the Oppressions by the two Admirals Complaint was made at Rome and Lucretius deeply fined and a Decree sent to Greece Ordering him to refuse all Impositions not warranted by the Senate § 7. Perseus in the two first Years of the War was grown stronger being inlarged on the Illyrian side and his Grecian Friends grown bolder and many of the Roman Friends keep out their Admiral by force for his Oppression and the Glory of the Enterprize against Macedon defac'd as their Army lessened greatly P. Martius a new Consul cometh to help all if he knew how yet he began hotly and indeed the right way to pass through the Straits not by Force against the Guard that kept them but by seeking untrodden Ways over such steep Mountains as if Nature had determined Armies should never pass them especially with Elephants Perseus could not be ignorant of the Romans coming towards him and might have distressed them if his Heart had served but he only Guarded the ordinary Passages into Tempe and when he saw the Romans entred he was so far from forcing them upon their extreme Weariness that he fled crying All was lost without a Fight So in haste he left Dium being the strong Passage into Macedon and sent Post to set Fire on his Arsenal at Thessalonica and cast his Treasure at Pella into the Sea and called the Captains which kept the Straits but after his Fear was past he put the two First to Death to cover his Fear as if they had acted without his Command Martius presently took Dium yet after one days March into Macedon want of Food forced him back to Thessaly so unable was he to hold out if he had kept the Straits So he forsook Dium and took the Way to Phila to meet his desired Provision and foolishly gave over the Enterprize either for want to Courage or Skill which so Incouraged Perseus that he Fortified Dium again and so frustrated all the Consuls proceeding that Summer who only took Heraclea five Miles off The like Success had the Admiral at Sea in Attempting Thessalonica Cassandria and Demetrias though assisted by Eumenes While the Consul lay at Heraclea he persuaded the Rhodian Embassadours to Mediate for a Peace which might argue his Fear though Polybius thinks it was to indanger the Rhodians Here also Polybius brought him word of Supplies Decreed for him out of Achaea which he refused and also dissuaded sending any to Appius Claudius as not needful though Claudius on the Frontier of Illyria was in danger and sent for it and for want of it was highly displeased with Polybius Eumenes at this time grew cold in Affection to Rome upon what occasion is douâ—tful though it was generally thought that â—pon disgust of some usage of Martius he went Home from whence Perseus sent to invite him by some hope of Gain and upon consideration of that the Fire was like to take his own House next after Perseus's House was burnt The like course Perseus took with Gentius King of Illyria and gained him and both send to the Rhodians desiring them to Mediate between Perseus and Rome which they promised thinking Martius also desired it But when their Embassadour moved for that Mediation they were so disdainfully taken up that in all Humility they were glad to submit Gentius having received Ten Talents and more being coming laid hands on the Roman Embassadours and committed them whereupon Perseus recalled his last Treasure seeing Gentius so far ingaged About that time came Clondiâ—us with Ten Thousand Horse and Ten Thousand Foot of Gauls or Bastarnes procured by Perseus but for want of Covenanted Pay presently returned toward Danubius § 8. Lucius Aemilius Paulus Consul the second time had Macedon for his Province but refused to propound any thing for that Service to the Senate till a view were taken of the State of the Army there and how it stood with the Macedonian so Supplies are made accordingly for him and the Admiral and L. Anicius to succeed Appius Claudius the Pretor Aemilius at his departing in his grave Oration Requested them which thought themselves wise enough to manage those Wars either to go with him for his assistance or govern their Tongues at Home and not Censure upon hear-say For he would frame his Actions to the advantage of the State not to the expectation of the Multitude He was Honourably attended out of the City and in five Days came to the Camp when Perseus lay in Dium and Fortified the Fords of Enipeus between which and Tempe for Ten Miles which is along the Sea-shore and Olympus is no fresh Water but Aemilius knew no Shore wants fresh Water after a little digging for want whereof Martius was glad to go to Heraclea Yet the
and Children It endured many changes Shishak of Egypt Sackt it so did Ioas of Israel but Nebuchadonozor fulfilled all Gods Judgments threatned and made way to Seventy Years Desolation and Captivity of City and People After the restoring by Cyrus Bagòses Lieutenant and Artaxeres spoiled it and after Alexanders Empire was divided Ptolomy the First pretending to Offer Sacrifice then Antiochus Epiphanes and Apollonius his Lieutenant after him spoiled it and Pompey long after took it But after all Repairs that wicked Herod did so Reedifie and Adorn both Temples and Cities that it far exceeded what Solomon did continuing in this state about Forty Years after our Saviour's Death Titus invested it till it was taken and Demolished it in which by Famine Pestilence Sedition and Enemies Sword 1100000 were consumed 65 Years after being in part repaired Elius Adrian for a new Revolt Overthrew all and Built another which he called Elia Capitolia and Decreed that never Iew should dare after to enter or from high place look to behold it Yet after the Christian Religion flourished in Palestine it was Inhabited after by Christians 500 Years and then it was taken by Egyptian Sarazens and held 400 Years and then regained by Godfrey Bouillon and so continued 88 Years when the Souldan of Egypt won it but lastly Selim the Turk took it and called it Cusunbaris § 6. Malicious Reports of the Heathen as Quintilian Diodor Strabo Iustin Tacitus touching the Iews Original answered by Iosephus against Appion and Tertullian in his Apologet. CHAP. IX Memorable things from Joshua to Jeptha and the Destruction of Troy § 1. IVDA by Gods Directions took the Management of the War after Ioshua was Dead Caleb with Phineas and the assistance of Seventy Elders were in Ioshua's time Commanding in Chief Their Achievements we read Iudg. 1. as also of the other Tribes which sought to establish their own Territories What befel them after upon their making Peace with the Canaanites and their affliction 8 Years and how Othniel the Son of Cenas Younger Brother to Caleb delivered them from Chushan a King of Mesopotamia who Oppressed them we read in Scripture How long it was between the Death of Ioshua and Othniel is uncertain though it could not be a short time considering what Wars followed and the Surprize of Laish by the Danites and their Warring with Benjamin are thought to be in this interim which War so weakened them that they could not so strongly resist their Bordering Enemies § 2. Othniel Governed 40 Years in whose 20 th year Pandarius Fifth King of Athens entred and Reigned 40 Years Father of Erictheus and Progne and Philomela in the Fables Cadmus about this time obtained Thebes which Amphion and Zethus Governed after Triptolâ—mus is placed first by Augustine of whom and the rest Authors so disagree that I desire to be excused if I Err with better Judgments whereto I submit For if the first Authors had but a borrowed uncertain light from other Conjectures all our labour in Example to uncover the Sun is for ought I see a more over-shading § 3. Ehud was next who Delivered Israel from Eglon King of Moab after 18 Years Misery Samgar his Successor freed them from the Philistins so from Othoniel's Death 8 Years expired Elimelek went to Moab in Ehud's days and Ruth's Story is referred hither Adoius King of the Molosseans in Epirus had by Ceres his Wife a Fair Daughter called Proserpina a common Name of such whom Peritheus intending to steal drew Theseus into the attempt which being discovered Aidonius surprized them cast Peritheus to Cesarus his Mastive and kept Theseus Prisoner till Hercules delivered him by a strong hand Pindus's Mountains in Epirus of which Oeta is Chief whence Acheron springeth Erictheus was King of Athens whose Daughter Orythia Boreas King of Thrace Forced Tereus King of Phocis in Greece Inhabited by Thracians Married Progne the Daughter of Pandarius and Ravished her Sister Philomela and cut out her Tongue for which Progne killed his Son Itys and made Meat of him for Tyrus and fled to Athens Tros began to Reign in Pardania the 47 th Year of Ehud about which time Tantalus was King of Lydia not Phrygia whose study of Wisdom made him neglect the Pleasure of Riches of which he had great Plenty Others said his covetous Mind made him miserable whereof grew that Fable c. Here the Author is out Taxing the unfolding of Secrets to Vulgars perverting Mar. 4.11 Cecrops 2 d. 7 th King of Athens and Arrisius Thirteenth King of the Argives now Reigned the first 40 Years the other 31 toward the end of the 8 Years Pelops lived of whom Peloponesus took Name Titius Tyrant of Panopea in Phocis slain by Apollo Admetus King of Thessaly Perseus of Peloponesus and Medusa slain by Perseus Souldiers of whose Blood sprang Pegasus Belerophon's Horse with which he slew Chimera a Pyrat of of the Lycians Ion of whom the Athenians are called Iones or rather of Iovan c. § 4. The former 80 Years of Peace and Plenty having bred security it brought forth neglect of Gods Commandments and their ripe Sins called for God's Judgment who raised Iabin King of Hazor who laid an heavy yoke on Israel 20 Years keeping his chief holds even in Naphtalim and reduced them to such a weakness as among Forty Thousand a Weapon was not seen But as Volumes may be gathered of Examples proving all Power is the Lords how impotent soever his means be so now the Lord set it out in delivering Israel two Women Deborah and Iael striking the chief stroke Thus Forty Years were expired under Iabin Deborah and Barac Argos's Kingdom which had continued 544 Years was Translated to Micenae Built by Perseus Son of Danae Daughter of Acrisius King of Argos The King of Argos The King of Argives we find Inachus whose Daughter Io was the Egyptian Isis Phoronius Apis Argus Pirasus Phorbas Triops Crotopus Sthelenus Donaus Lynieus Abas Acrosius Pelops After the Translation to Micenae Perseus Sthenelus Eurystheus Atreus Son of Pelops Agamemon Egypthus Orestes Tisamenus Penthilus and Cometes Midas now King of Phrygia and Ilus who Built Ilium Contemporaries with Debora § 5. Barac was no sooner dead but Israel returned to their impious Idolatry and God raised up the Midianites assisted with the Amalekites to infest them yet his Compassions which never fail raised them up a Deliverer Gideon the Son of Ioash whose story is largely set down in Holy Scripture His severities in the revenge upon Succoth and Penuel his own Sons found shortly after his death For the debts of Cruelty and Mercy were left unsatisfied And because he Converted the Gold into an Ephod a Garment proper to the High-Priest and set it up in his City Ophra as it drew Israel to Idolatry so was it the destruction of his own House Aegeus Son of Pandeon now reigned in Athens Euristheus in Micenae whom Atreus succeeded who killed Thyestes his Brother's Children and feasted